After a disappointing opening tour game against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, the Lions set out to put down a marker when facing the Auckland Blues.
As the bottom side in the New Zealand Super Rugby conference, this was considered to be the most winnable game for the Lions against the Super Rugby sides but it went very wrong as they lost 22-16.
Things didn’t go to plan when Rieko Ioane crossed early on after Jack Nowell was caught in a poor position. However, the Lions regained the lead through a great rolling maul and a CJ Stander try and a Leigh Halfpenny penalty increased the lead to five points.
Ioane had his second try denied by the TMO, a running theme throughout the match, for an earlier offside. Sonny Bill Williams had a try perhaps luckily awarded during the last play of the half and the Blues led 12-10 at halftime.
The game was decided by a scintillating score by Ihaia West after a superb offload by Sonny Bill and the Lions fell to their first defeat on tour.
There was many positives to take from a clearly improved performance despite the loss and plenty for the Lions to build on but the result itself will be a huge blow.
Here’s how I rated the Lions players:
1. Jack McGrath - 7
A good tackling performance and put his marker down for a test place.
2. Ken Owens - 7
A good debut, marred by one poor lineout throw.
3. Dan Cole -
Part of a solid scrum, but made little impact anywhere else.
4. Maro Itoje - 7
One of the standout players and, for me, a guaranteed test player.
5. Courtney Lawes - 6
Complimented Itoje superbly and worked well across the pitch.
6. James Haskell - 6
A few good carries and good work at the breakdown.
7. Justin Tipuric - 8
The best player on the pitch in a Lions shirt. Good breakdown work and adds more to the competitive back row battle.
8. CJ Stander - 7
Strong carrying, try scorer and will give Faletau a fight for the 8 shirt come 24th June
9. Rhys Webb - 6
Quick at the breakdown and kicked well.
10. Dan Biggar 5
Little impact made and went off injured before the end of the first half.
11. Elliot Daly - 5
Uncharacteristically quiet and a move to 13 did little to help him.
12. Robbie Henshaw - 6
Strong carrying but nowhere near the impact Te’o had on Saturday.
13. Jared Payne - 5
A disappointing return to Auckland which was prematurely ended by injury.
14. Jack Nowell - 4
Lacked the quality to deal with Ioane and did nothing to show why he should start the first test.
15. Leigh Halfpenny - 6
A better peformance than Hogg had in the first match and his place kicking as as good as ever